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Cry Baby (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
With song titles like “Sippy Cup” and “Dollhouse,” you might mistake CRY BABY for a children's release – until you listen to the music. Melanie Martinez has described the semi-autobiographical main character of her 2015 full-length debut as “a child who experiences adult things,” and there are definitely dark undercurrents to these 13 originals that belie their shiny surfaces. A top production team led by One Love surrounds the former The Voice contestant with inventive alternative-pop beats and hooks, but the appeal of the Atlantic collection stems nearly as much from its central concept of growth through adversity. A Top 10 hit that soon reached platinum sales status, CRY BABY is also available in a Deluxe Edition that includes bonus tracks “Play Date,” “Teddy Bear” and “Cake.”
Disco Inferno (Album of the Day)
Philadelphia vocal group The Trammps were early adopters of disco, harmonizing to irresistible dance rhythms with a little help from their friends in MFSB, Philly soul hitmakers in their own right who provided production and instrumental support. The Trammps hit the big time with “Disco Inferno,” which was just a minor hit until its inclusion in the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack pushed it back up to #11 on the pop chart. The song, in its near-11 minute full-length version, became the title track to the quintet's most successful album, which also included two other Dance chart No.1s in “Starvin'” and “Body Contact Contract.” Don't judge this one by its cover - the gold-certified DISCO INFERNO has what it takes to make dancefloors burn, baby, burn.
Beneath the Remains (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
Founded in Brazil in 1984, Sepultura recorded two full-length albums before signing with Roadrunner Records for their major-label debut, BENEATH THE REMAINS. Widely regarded today as a thrash-metal classic, the 1989 album perfectly distilled the band’s potent mix of piercing melodies and pummeling rhythms. Cut in Rio de Janeiro with producer Scott Burns, the collection was hailed by fans and critics alike for such standout songs as “Inner Self,” “Primitive Future” and the title track. A double-disc Deluxe Edition of BENEATH THE REMAINS includes nine unreleased “mixdown” recordings taken from the album sessions along with an unreleased live set performed at the Zeppelinhalle, West Germany, on September 22, 1989 – and it's now available on colored vinyl exclusively at Rhino.com.
Betty Wright Live (Album of the Day)
Born Bessie Regina Norris in Miami, Betty Wright was recording before grade school (with her siblings' gospel group) and in the Top 10 before graduating high school. Wright was a gifted songwriter and vocalist with plenty of stage presence, all of which can be heard on LIVE – even if the collection wasn't actually recorded in concert. Rubbing shoulders with covers of contemporary favorites are such signature hits as “Clean Up Woman,” “Where Is The Love” and “Tonight Is the Night,” a song of sexual initiation made all the more engaging by Betty's accompanying monologue. For that track alone, LIVE is among Wright's best-loved albums, but for tell-it-like-it-is '70s soul, it's a solid set throughout and an ideal way to remember the late performer.
The Head on the Door (Album of the Day)
THE HEAD ON THE DOOR was a pivotal album for British alternative rockers The Cure, with some key lineup changes (the return of bassist Simon Gallup, the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Porl Thompson) and a crystallization of the band's signature sound. It was on this 1985 collection that Robert Smith and company perfected the mix of emotional desolation and pop accessibility that would make The Cure international stars. With such catchy singles as “In Between Days” and “Close to Me” and some of their most imaginative arrangements, the album debuted in the U.K. Top 10, was a hit across Europe and broke into the Top 100 in the U.S., a first for the group. Named Album of the Year by Melody Maker, the gold-certified THE HEAD ON THE DOOR celebrates its 35th anniversary today.
Asylum (Album of the Day)
Disturbed's ASYLUM debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, the fourth chart-topper in a row from the Chicago heavy metal quartet. “The themes range from very personal and introspective, to the political and provocative,” noted frontman David Draiman of the 2010 set, which addresses break-ups (“Crucified”) and miscarriage (“My Child”) as well as global warming (“Another Way To Die”) and the Holocaust (“Never Again”). The music is equally dark and intense, with Dan Donegan's guitar work ranging from powerful to lyrical and a balance of moods and tempos that speaks to the band members' growing sophistication as producers. We'll leave the last word to Pantera's Vinnie Paul, who simply said of ASYLUM, “That thing kicks ass.”
Realism (Album of the Day)
Released 10 years ago, The Magnetic Fields' REALISM was the last of a “no synths” trilogy that also includes I and DISTORTION. In fact, the Nonesuch collection takes the low-tech concept a step further, largely abandoning electric guitars and rock drumming. Magnetic mastermind Stephin Merritt has described the set as a folk album, and even if it does include a song called “We Are Having a Hootenanny,” it takes a broader approach to acoustic music along the lines of Judy Collins' baroque late-'60s collaborations with Joshua Rifkin. The cellos, banjos and sitars serve a baker's dozen originals whose sardonic takes on heartache are among Merritt's most accessible since 69 LOVE SONGS, both beautifully sung and well-produced. From indie pop gem “You Must Be Out of Your Mind” to “The Dada Polka” to a twisted holiday number (“Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree”), REALISM offers a lot of variety, and shows The Magnetic Fields remain among the most adventurous in alternative music.
Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers (Album of the Day)
Atlantic Records emerged as the leading independent label for R&B after WWII, and as the 1960s soul boom hit, the company remained at the head of the pack. Along with its companion survey of female artists, ATLANTIC UNEARTHED: SOUL BROTHERS shows that quality remained high well beyond the hits. Blues & Soul journalist David Nathan combed through unreleased tapes and rare B-sides to compile this 16-track set, and comes up with gems from both famous names (Wilson Pickett's “Can't Stop a Man in Love,” Otis Redding's “I Love You More Than Words Can Say”) and lesser known artists (Mighty Sam McClain, Walter Jackson, Darrell Banks). Anyone looking to explore the mid-'60s to mid-'70s golden age of this music beyond the basics would do well to dig up ATLANTIC UNEARTHED: SOUL BROTHERS.
Gutterflower (Album of the Day)
Following the massive success of DIZZY UP THE GIRL, New York alternative rock hitmakers the Goo Goo Dolls entered the new millennium with GUTTERFLOWER. Produced by the band and Green Day helmer Rob Cavallo, the 2002 Warner Bros. collection has all the studio polish you could ask for without sacrificing any of the passion. Even when the lyrics are wrought with heartache (songwriter Johnny Rzeznik had recently been through a divorce), they're played and sung with never-say-die attitude – and packed with hooks. “Here Is Gone,” “Big Machine” and “Sympathy” were the singles, but the consistent listenability of these dozen originals has made the gold-certified GUTTERFLOWER a major favorite with Goos fans.
Urban Renewal (Album of the Day)
Tower of Power is rightfully revered for its horn section, which has graced sessions for performers including Santana, Aerosmith and Elton John. But the Bay Area band has cut many albums of its own, and 1975's URBAN RENEWAL is one of its best. Recorded near the peak of group's commercial success, the Warner Bros. collection would be the last with lead vocalist Lenny Williams before his departure for a solo career. The instrumental work is also stellar, and not just the horns; keyboardist Chester Thompson and bassist Francis "Rocco" Prestia will dazzle you as well. Except for a Johnny "Guitar" Watson cover, the material is all original and ranges from topical tracks (“Only So Much Oil in the Ground”) to soulful balladry (“Willing to Learn”) to hard funk (“Maybe It'll Rub Off”), an appealing mix that lifted the set to #22 on the Billboard Album chart. Released 45 years ago this month, URBAN RENEWAL is sure to please any fan of '70s R&B.